It would not be farfetched to claim that there is religious segregation in current day Britain. But what has also emerged is the religious sectarianism within the British Muslim community, which has become a major cause of concern. Many leading clerics have warned that the sectarianism could lead to violent crimes, as well as terrorism.
The rise in sectarian tension may not be apparent to the naked eye, but nevertheless, it exists and is allegedly being stoked by antagonistic preachers from both sides. It is said that these tensions between the Shia and Sunni community were impelled by the enduring and astringent war in Syria. It is further alleged that these preachers, including some who lecture at British universities, arouse tensions by encouraging assaults, attacks on buildings, as well as online intimidation.
Such tensions have proven detrimental and difficult to cope with. One of the world's leading Shia cleric, Dr Sayed Ammar Nakshwani, left the UK and moved to the United States after enduring several years of intimidation from hard-core Sunnis, who allegedly threatened to kill him, followed his parents and even vandalised his car.
Dr Nakshwani said, “They would sometimes target my house and call me and say, 'Hey rafidi, watch your back'. One time there was a call at midnight where they said your dad has gone out and we can see him at the supermarket. They had followed him and were watching him.”
“Rafidi” is said to be a Sunni insult, which refers to the Shia rejection of the companions or associates of Muhammad.
A Shia imam in London, Sheikh Ahmed Haneef believes that community leaders ought to increase the security, in order to guard against the threats of attacks from those who sympathise and support the attacks being carried out by Islamic State.
Qari Muhammad Asim, a leading Sunni imam in Leeds, warned that sectarianism was “a cancer eating away the Muslim community”.
Mr Haneef, from a Shia mosque in north London said, “The venomous preaching combined with the jihadists coming back into the country and looking to carry out opportunist attacks- that puts us in a very dangerous situation.”
Although the debate regarding Shia-Sunni may appear as new in the western world, the rift has been ongoing for many centuries. The original cause of rift occurred in 632AD, when there were concerns regarding who would succeed the Prophet Muhammad. A majority chose the Prophet's companion and closest associate, Abu Bakr, who became the first caliph, head of the Muslim community. A smaller group opted for the Prophet's son-in-law, Ali ibn-Talib. This minority ultimately became known as the Shia, or the followers of Ali.
The disagreement transformed into a civil war during the reign of Ali ibn-Talib. He rose to become the fourth caliph in 656AD. He was, however, attacked while praying in a mosque, in Iraq, and died two days later.
The tensions may be concurrent between the two groups in Britain as well as globally, however, there are still a majority of Muslims who believe in the unity of Islam and do not let the preposterous attacks affect them or their ideologies.
A spokesperson for the Al-Khair Foundation, the third largest Muslim charity in the UK said, “There will always be tensions between sects and religions- and it is an issue that extends beyond Islam or Sunnis/Shias. However, it is important for Muslims to stay united and true to the message of Islam and our Prophet, which was one of peace, tolerance and forgiveness.”
